Sermons From Galatians - That Which Has Power In Christ (5:6)

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                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

                  That Which Has Power In Christ (5:6)

INTRODUCTION

1. The rite of circumcision was a major issue in the early church...
   a. Judaizing teachers taught it was necessary to be saved - Ac 15:1,5
   b. Paul argued that it had become irrelevant - Ga 5:6

2. Note that Paul wrote "neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails
   anything..."
   a. The Greek word translated 'avails' is transliterated ischuo
   b. As defined by Thayer, the word ischuo means:
      1) to be strong, such as to be strong in body, to be robust, to be
         in sound health
      2) to have power
         a) to have power as shown by extraordinary deeds; to exert,
            wield power, to have strength to overcome
         b) to be a force, avail

[If neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has power in Christ, what
does?  Paul reveals that there are three things working in conjunction
that have power.  The first is...]

I. FAITH

   A. THE DEFINITION OF FAITH...
      1. A Scriptural definition of faith is found in He 11:1
      2. The NIV is helpful:  "Now faith is being sure of what we hope
         for and certain of what we do not see."
      3. Vine describes faith as "a firm conviction"
      4. I like to think of faith as "a confident trust"

   B. THE IMPORTANCE OF "FAITH"...
      1. Faith in God is essential to pleasing Him - He 11:6
      2. Faith in Jesus is essential to finding forgiveness and eternal
         life - Jn 8:24; 20:30-31
      3. Without faith, the only alternative is doubt accompanied with
         fear - cf. Mt 14:30-31

   C. THE POWER OF FAITH...
      1. Faith in Christ has the power to produce:
         a. Hope - Ro 5:2
         b. Joy - 1Pe 1:8
         c. Peace - Ro 15:13
      2. Those with faith in Christ receive the power to:
         a. Live - Ga 2:20
         b. Overcome the world - 1Jn 5:4-5
         c. Overcome the devil - Ep 6:16

   D. THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAITH...
      1. Faith comes from the Word of God - Ro 10:17; Jn 20:30-31
      2. Faith involves a growth process - 2Th 1:3

[A thriving, growing faith in Christ has great power, to enable us to
live strong, vibrant spiritual lives.  Such a faith will naturally
involve the element of...]

II. WORKS

   A. THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORKS...
      1. Works of merit
         a. These are works done to 'earn' something
         b. Those who have done such works believe they 'deserve'
         c. No one can be saved by such works - cf. Tit 3:4-5; Ep 2:8-9
      2. Works of faith
         a. These are things done to 'receive' something
         b. Those who have done such works believe they deserve nothing!
            - cf. Lk 17:10
      3. Works of faith can also be called works of God
         a. Of which faith itself is called by Jesus - Jn 6:28-29
         b. Other works of faith commanded by God include repentance,
            confession, and baptism - cf. Ac 17:30; Ro 10:9-10; Col
            2:12-13
         c. Such works are those prepared beforehand by God - Ep 2:10

   B. THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FAITH...
      1. There is dead faith - Jm 2:14-17,20,26
         a. Faith without works
         b. Substituting words for deeds
      2. There is demonic faith - Jm 2:18,19
         a. Faith with the wrong kind of works
         b. Such as trembling instead of acting
      3. There is dynamic faith - Jm 2:20-26
         a. Faith that works the will of God
         b. An obedient faith, as required by the gospel - Ro 1:5; 6:17;
            16:25-26

   C. WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF FAITH AND WORKS...
      1. Salvation is possible - Ac 10:35
      2. We can bring glory to God - Mt 5:16; 1Pe 2:12
      3. We can receive glory, honor, and peace - Ro 2:10
      4. Our efforts to serve are strengthened by God! - cf. Php 2:12-13;
         4:13; Ep 3:16,20

[Faith without works is dead; faith with works has great power in
Christ!  Especially so, when faith and works are done in...]

III. LOVE

   A. LOVE TOWARD GOD...
      1. Love is what God desires from us more than anything - Mt 22:37
      2. Love is what inspires the noblest form of obedience - Jn 14:15,
         23a
         a. Some obey out of fear (of being punished)
         b. Others obey out of selfishness (for what they get out it)
         c. The highest form of obedience is out of love (glad to be of
            service)

   B. LOVE TOWARD ONE ANOTHER...
      1. The kind of love Jesus showed toward us - Jn 13:34-35
      2. Our liberty in Christ is for the very purpose of serving one
         another in love - Ga 5:13

CONCLUSION

1. When faith, works, and love are joined together, there is great
   synergy...
   a. There is salvation from sin
   b. There is power over the devil
   c. There is hope, joy, and peace for the children of God!

2. When faith, works, and love are not joined together, nothing works
   right...
   b. Faith without works is dead
   a. Works without faith cannot save
   c. Works without love produce a cold, heartless religion

Is our faith working through love?  May Paul's prayer for the
Thessalonians be our prayer for one another:

   Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count
   you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure
   of His goodness and THE WORK OF FAITH WITH POWER, that the name
   of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in
   Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus
   Christ. - 2Th 1:11-12
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